SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of Afghan civilians took up arms to defend the government against Taliban militants in the northern Jauzjan province on Monday, spokesman for the provincial government Reza Ghafori said.
"Hundreds of people from across the province gathered in Aqcha district this morning and voiced their support to the government and government forces in the war against armed oppositions including Taliban rebels," Ghafori told Xinhua.
Without giving an exact number, the official said "hundreds of people probably some 900 or so have bought arms and ammunitions with their own money" and vowed to defend government forces against Taliban and other insurgent groups.
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